St. Patrick’s Day Folklore
According to folklore, you get pinched on St. Patrick’s Day for not wearing green because green makes you invisible to leprechauns, and leprechauns like to pinch people (because they can!). The digital media website IrishCentral also states that people wear green on St. Patrick’s Day because of the holiday’s association with Ireland’s nickname, the “Emerald Isle,” and its flag’s colors, and since shamrocks are commonly associated with the holiday’s decor. We could not find any primary Irish source to certify that claim, so take it with a grain of salt.
Why Wear Green On St. Patrick’s Day?
Apart from superstition, why wear green on St. Patrick’s Day? According to Paul Finnegan, the Executive Director of the New York Irish Center, wearing green symbolizes Irish Republicanism, a nonsectarian movement from the late 18th century that campaigned for Ireland to become an independent republic.The reason green has so deeply become entwined with St. Patrick’s Day came a little bit later, says Time. In the 19th century, Irish immigrants started landing in America and celebrating St. Patrick’s Day and their heritage by wearing this symbolic color.So go ahead and wear your finest green dress or tee this St. Paddy’s day and share these fun facts you’ve learned about the history behind it. (Note: We don’t condone pinching those who choose not to wear green, but celebrate as you must!)
